WOMEN desperate to become mothers helped launch a campaign to encourage egg donation at a Liverpool hospital yesterday.

The Hewitt Centre at Liverpool Women’s Hospital has launched the Give Hope Give Life appeal to address the major shortage of available eggs in the region.

There are currently more than 150 couples in Liverpool who need the help of an egg donor for a chance of having a family, but the waiting list is 2½ years long.

Stacey Crompton, 25, from Warrington, found out she had gone through an early menopause at the age of 17 and will only be able to conceive with the help of a donor egg. She has been on the list for eight years, without a compatible donor coming forward.

She said yesterday: “I got told when I was 17 I was going through the menopause and I realised I would not be able to have children. I do not think I will ever get over it. Women who give eggs are helping people have a family. It is so important and it is my only hope for a child.”

Alison Jones and her fiancé, Dave Stewart, from St Helens, are desperate to have a child but have waited four years on the donor list, because Miss Jones also suffered an early menopause at the age of 22.

She said: “I was so upset, it is something we want so much. If a compatible person came forward, it would be amazing.”

Consultant Gynaecologist at The Hewitt Centre, Charles Kingsland, added: “Many women do not realise donors are needed.

“The campaign will hopefully address this.”

THOSE interested in donation can call the National Gamete Donation Trust on 0845 226 9193 or log on to www.ngdt.co.uk

Women aged between 23-35 of any ethnicity are needed.

lizawilliams